1. Medications for Esophagus Disorders
Conditions associated with too much acid in the esophagus are generally treated with antacids. Antacids are helpful in providing temporary relief by neutralizing stomach acid but don't do anything to heal an already damaged esophagus. Prescription proton-pump inhibitors are longer acting and work by suppressing acid production. H2 receptor blockers, such as Zantac (ranitidine), also work to limit acid production and generally have few side effects.
If your problems are caused by a loose lower esophageal sphincter, your doctor may prescribe prokinetic agents. These help tighten the valve and also speed stomach emptying. However, they can have serious side effects, so they are not as commonly used as the other classes of medications. Some esophagus disorders require medications other than antacids. Your doctor will recommend medications to control the bleeding if your esophageal varices or esophagitis caused bleeding of the esophagus. Antibiotics can be used to treat infections that cause esophagitis. You may also be given medication to relax your esophagus if you have chronic difficulty swallowing.
2. Therapeutic Options for Esophagus Disorders
If you have difficulty swallowing, you may be directed to a speech or swallowing specialist who can design specific exercises to promote coordination of your swallowing muscles or re-stimulate nerves that trigger the swallowing reflex. Biofeedback therapy, another therapeutic approach, is often used to treat esophageal spasms. Biofeedback can help you recognize and control your body's physiological responses to stress, reducing the incidence of spasms.
3. Surgery as a Last Resort
GERD and heartburn are rarely treated with surgery because medications tend to be effective. For some people, however, medication does not clear up symptoms, and surgery must be considered. Surgery is also recommended when there are complications, such as bleeding in severe esophagitis, or to treat a chronically narrowed esophagus. Other conditions, such as hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus, may also warrant surgery. Newer, less invasive procedures can work to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter without even making an incision.
